DAY(1).KONP: Safety gear (regional requirements), Call about fuel, motels, courtesy cars etc., update checklists for regional operations, food, water, computers updated, maintenance logs reviewed and good for (50) hours.

ETD: Looking at weather window tomorrow

Sorting through my personal gear:

Planning on staying at Sugar Pine Inn, located near Pine Mountain Lake Airport (E45). Friendly on the telephone and will pickup at the Airport.

The Coast is "Spooky", drastic and sudden changes in the weather occur. Clear warm weather about 45:00" ago then this. No VFR now.

Low pressure system passing by...No VFR over the "Coastal Mountains" to Roseburg. ETD delayed until ceilings improve...

Good call . Even though today is vfr around here (Lake Tahoe) ridge winds winds in the area will be pushing 85 mph by the afternoon .. That's no fun

low rider wrote:Good call . Even though today is vfr around here (Lake Tahoe) ridge winds winds in the area will be pushing 85 mph by the afternoon .. That's no fun

Thanks for the reminder. Been awhile since I have seen the forecast in the areas. Steve Fosset is a good example, never forget that one.

Actually, the Coast was pretty nice compared to my usual inland route. Made it to Red Bluff, before TS/rain stopped me. Tomorrow should have more promise.

California Coast:

Good call stopping at RBL..thunderstorms were pretty wild down here yesterday evening. Stop in a Lincoln and have pancakes with us around 0830. I will be off of Colusa around daybreak heading that way.

CFOT wrote:Good call stopping at RBL..thunderstorms were pretty wild down here yesterday evening. Stop in a Lincoln and have pancakes with us around 0830. I will be off of Colusa around daybreak heading that way.

I love pancakes! Not sure if I can get there with my unscheduled weather diversion(s)! Thank you however.

Checking out this morning and watching the weather....

No worries, safe travels.

CFOT wrote:No worries, safe travels.

Thank you. Sounded fun to me!




Arrived Catalina Is.:

With an average ground speed of 80-110kts @4,500-8,500'. Here is a preliminary route back to Oregon...

Noticed your very clean aircraft parked adjacent Robinson Flight Test.

My SO and I enjoyed the Sharpie notes, too. What do the letters J & B refer to along the float exterior?

What is your ETD? We would enjoy saying Hello.

iPat wrote:Noticed your very clean aircraft parked adjacent Robinson Flight Test.

My SO and I enjoyed the Sharpie notes, too. What do the letters J & B refer to along the float exterior?

What is your ETD? We would enjoy saying Hello.

I'll be here for a few more days. Was just in front of your hangar about 30 minutes ago. Very impressed with how the place has grown! The air show guys made me park down there. Hope it's OK. There was a -22 (yellow) flight testing at noon.

We can meet at my tiedowns? How about 12:00 tomorrow, I'll buy you lunch?

"J" = jack point
"B" = wooden blocks

Senior citizen placards

Senior citizen placards? For what those floats cost Wipline should have painted such placards on!

Noon lunch works, but 1130 would be better if you can swing it, however don't worry if unable.

iPat wrote:Senior citizen placards? For what those floats cost Wipline should have painted such placards on!

Noon lunch works, but 1130 would be better if you can swing it, however don't worry if unable.

11:30 it is. I will drive down from PV and see ya'all at the tiedown.

The Wipaire Service Manual has the location for jacking etc. I got lazy and used a Sharpie on station location!

Thank you iPAT for inviting me to the incredible factory! BCP T-Shirt shining bright!

8GCBC wrote:Thank you iPAT for inviting me to the incredible factory! BCP T-Shirt shining bright!

Pleased to have your plane brighten our ramp, and thank you for allowing us to satisfy your curiosity about helicopter manufacturing!

Fly safely,
iPat

Again, Mahalo to Robison for the unreal welcome! Nice to be in the inner circle for one day!

Instruction hangar:


These guys develop and engineer new products. New experimental:


One of several buildings where over 20,000 helicopters have been constructed and tested. 1,200 employees report to work.

Still have a few more days in SoCal. Will try GoPro'ing some marine video around Catalina.

PIREP: Airport In The Sky (KAVX) has an unkept runway theses days. Lots of potholes, gravel, and possible other "unknown" objects. Not good for an amphib with low clearances. $25.00 landing fees with bad/no tiedowns. Restaurant is expensive too. Many changes since I was there last time. Weekend warriors, tour helicopters, etc. Still a very pretty island. But, the airport in rough.

Will just use the water next trip...

If you stop by Benton (O85-Redding) let me know I would love to see the bird and meet you of course!